Profile

Contact Details

Email: phil.heyward@otago.ac.nz

University Links

Position: Lecturer
Department: Department of Physiology
Qualifications: BSc (Hons) PhD
Research summary: Neurophysiology and the sense of smell

Research

The sense of smell: Our ability to sense airborne chemicals is based on patterns of neuronal activity in the brain. We use electrophysiological recording from brain slices maintained in vitro to study how these patterns of activity are processed by individual neurons and circuits in the brain.

Neurological disorders: Bipolar disorder, depression and epilepsy seem like very different problems, but they each result from abnormal levels of brain neuron activity. To understand these diseases better and develop better treatments we need to know more about how the current treatments work. We therefore focus our studies on how current treatments act on neurons to control their activity as individuals, and as members of brain circuits.

Publications

Crellin, S., Sheard, P., Heyward, P. M., De Ridder, D., & Glue, P. (2023). Modulation of axonal action potential conduction with bipolar disorder therapeutics. In K.-L. Horne (Ed.), Proceedings of the 39th International Australasian Winter Conference on Brain Research (AWCBR). (pp. 48). Retrieved from https://www.awcbr.org Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Pretz, D., Heyward, P. M., Krebs, J., Gruchot, J., Barter, C., Silcock, P., Downes, N., Rizwan, M. Z., Boucsein, A., Bender, J., Burgess, E. J., Boer, G. A., Keerthisinghe, P., Perry, N. B., & Tups, A. (2023). A dahlia flower extract has anti-diabetic properties by improving insulin function in the brain. Life Metabolism, 2(4), load026. doi: 10.1093/lifemeta/load026 Journal - Research Article

Williams, M. R., Hall, M. J., & Heyward, P. M. (2019). Levels of activity-dependent effects on Li⁺ on mitral cell activity. In K. Hillman (Ed.), Proceedings of the 37th International Australasian Winter Conference on Brain Research (AWCBR). (pp. 57). Retrieved from http://www.otago.ac.nz/awcbr Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Benzler, M., Benzler, J., Stoehr, S., Hempp, C., Rizwan, M. Z., Heyward, P., & Tups, A. (2019). "Insulin-like" effects of palmitate compromise insulin signalling in hypothalamic neurons. Journal of Comparative Physiology B, 189(3-4), 413-424. doi: 10.1007/s00360-019-01220-0 Journal - Research Article

Heyward, P. M., Williams, M. R., & Hall, M. J. (2018). Activity-dependent actions of Li⁺ in brain network connectivity. In K. Hillman (Ed.), Proceedings of the 36th International Australasian Winter Conference on Brain Research. (pp. 69). AWCBR. Retrieved from https://www.otago.ac.nz/awcbr Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

2023

Journal - Research Article

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

2019

Journal - Research Article

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

2018

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

2017

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Kanthakumar, P., Hyland, B. I., & Heyward, P. (2017). Lithium may block the delay current (I_D) in olfactory projection neurons. Proceedings of the Society for Neuroscience 47th Annual Meeting. 375.02/D41. SfN. Retrieved from https://www.sfn.org/

Hall, M. J., Williams, M. R., & Heyward, P. M. (2017). Lithim promotes stereotyped responses to synaptic input: An in vitro olfactory bulb study. In B. Leitch (Ed.), Proceedings of the 35th International Australasian Winter Conference on Brain Research. (pp. 68). AWCBR. Retrieved from http://www.otago.ac.nz/awcbr/index.html

Deeney, E. A., Power, E. M., Heyward, P. M., & Empson, R. M. (2017). Does voluntary exercise improve motor performance and/or cerebellar architecture in SCA1 moderately ataxic mice. In B. Leitch (Ed.), Proceedings of the 35th International Australasian Winter Conference on Brain Research. (pp. 50). AWCBR. Retrieved from http://www.otago.ac.nz/awcbr/index.html

Kanthakumar, P., Hyland, B., & Heyward, P. (2017). Lithium may block the delay current (I_D) in olfactory projection neurons. In B. Leitch (Ed.), Proceedings of the 35th International Australasian Winter Conference on Brain Research. (pp. 38). AWCBR. Retrieved from http://www.otago.ac.nz/awcbr/index.html

Heyward, P. M., Williams, M. R., Hall, M. J., & Kanthakumar, P. (2017). Lithium may enhance brain network coherence by acting on K⁺ channels. In B. Leitch (Ed.), Proceedings of the 35th International Australasian Winter Conference on Brain Research. 35, (pp. 28). AWCBR. Retrieved from http://www.otago.ac.nz/awcbr/index.html

2014

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Farley, L. T. A., & Heyward, P. M. (2014). Nitric oxide regulates spontaneous, electrically stimulated, and seizure-like activities in the mouse olfactory bulb in vitro. In B. Leitch & J. Shemmell (Eds.), Proceedings of the 32nd International Australasian Winter Conference on Brain Research. 32, (pp. 65). AWCBR. Retrieved from https://web.psy.otago.ac.nz/awcbr/proceedings.html

2012

Journal - Research Article

Igelström, K. M., & Heyward, P. M. (2012). Inhibition of hippocampal excitability by citalopram. Epilepsia, 53(11), 2034-2042. doi: 10.1111/j.1528-1167.2012.03660.x

Igelström, K. M., & Heyward, P. M. (2012). The antidepressant drug fluoxetine inhibits persistent sodium currents and seizure-like events. Epilepsy Research, 101(1-2), 174-181. doi: 10.1016/j.eplepsyres.2012.03.019

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Farley, L. T. A., & Heyward, P. M. (2012). Nitric oxide in the olfactory bulb in vitro. In B. Leitch & J. Shemmell (Eds.), Proceedings of the 30th International Australasian Winter Conference on Brain Research. 30, (pp. 47). AWCBR. Retrieved from http://psy.otago.ac.nz/awcbr/Abstracts/Abstracts2012.html

2011

Journal - Research Article

Igelström, K. M., Shirley, C. H., & Heyward, P. M. (2011). Low-magnesium medium induces epileptiform activity in mouse olfactory bulb slices. Journal of Neurophysiology, 106(5), 2593-2605. doi: 10.1152/jn.00601.2011

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Igelstrom, K. M., & Heyward, P. M. (2011). Anticonvulsant effects and sodium channel inhibition by selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. In B. Leitch (Ed.), Proceedings of the 29th International Australasian Winter Conference on Brain Research. 29, 8.3. AWCBR. Retrieved from http://psy.otago.ac.nz/awcbr/abstracts/abstracts2011.html

2010

Journal - Research Article

Heyward, P. M. (2010). A brain slice bath for physiology and compound microscopy, with dual-sided perifusion. Journal of Microscopy, 240(3), 207-215. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2818.2010.03382.x

Butler-Munro, C., Coddington, E. J., Shirley, C. H., & Heyward, P. M. (2010). Lithium modulates cortical excitability in vitro. Brain Research, 1352, 50-60. doi: 10.1016/j.brainres.2010.07.021

Shirley, C. H., Coddington, E. J., & Heyward, P. M. (2010). All-or-none population bursts temporally constrain surround inhibition between mouse olfactory glomeruli. Brain Research Bulletin, 81(4-5), 406-415. doi: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2009.10.022

Conference Contribution - Poster Presentation (not in published proceedings)

Igelstrom, K., & Heyward, P. (2010, September). Epileptiform activity in an olfactory brain circuit. Poster session presented at the Fourth Annual Division of Health Sciences Research Forum, Dunedin, New Zealand.

2009

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Heyward, P. (2009). Olfactory bulb output neuron activity in brain slices: Physiology or pathophysiology? Proceedings of the ComBio2009 Conference. [CD-ROM] [Abstract]

Butler-Munro, C., Heyward, P. M., Shirley, C. H., & Coddington, E. (2009). Lithium blocks a transient outward current in output neurons of the olfactory bulb of the brain. Proceedings of the Society for Neuroscience 39th Annual Meeting. SfN. Retrieved from http://www.abstractsonline.com/plan/AdvancedSearch.aspx

Coddington, E. J., Shirley, C., Butler-Munro, C., & Heyward, P. M. (2009). Persistent sodium current (I_NaP) regulates excitability and synaptic integration in mitral cells. Proceedings of the Society for Neuroscience 39th Annual Meeting. SfN. Retrieved from http://www.abstractsonline.com/plan/AdvancedSearch.aspx

2008

Chapter in Book - Research

Heinbockel, T., & Heyward, P. M. (2008). Glutamate synapses in olfactory neural circuits. In B. F. Paley & T. E. Warfield (Eds.), Amino acid receptor research. (pp. 391-425). New York: Nova Science.

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Tantirigama, M., & Heyward, P. (2008). Excitation by GABA in the mouse olfactory bulb is not mediated by a bicarbonate efflux. New Zealand Medical Journal, 121(1274). Retrieved from http://journal.nzma.org.nz/journal/121-1274/3078/content.pdf

Igelstrom, K., & Heyward, P. (2008). Inhibitory action of taurine at GABA_A and glycine receptors in the main olfactory bulb of the brain. New Zealand Medical Journal, 121(1274). Retrieved from http://journal.nzma.org.nz/journal/121-1274/3078/content.pdf

Shirley, C. H., & Heyward, P. M. (2008). Centre-surround processing in the olfactory bulb is temporal, and intrinsic to the level of sensory input. Proceedings of the Society for Neuroscience 38th Annual Meeting. SfN. Retrieved from http://www.abstractsonline.com/plan/AdvancedSearch.aspx

Butler-Munro, C., & Heyward, P. (2008). Lithium treatment in vitro has direct and adaptive effects on neuronal excitability. In J. G. Anson (Ed.), Proceedings of the 26th International Australasian Winter Conference on Brain Research. 26, (pp. 33). AWCBR. Retrieved from http://psy.otago.ac.nz/awcbr/Abstracts/2008Abstracts.pdf

Coddington, E., & Heyward, P. (2008). Synaptic integration in mitral cells is regulated by a persistent sodium current (I_NAP-I_NaP). In J. G. Anson (Ed.), Proceedings of the 26th International Australasian Winter Conference on Brain Research. 26, (pp. 31). AWCBR. Retrieved from http://psy.otago.ac.nz/awcbr/Abstracts/2008Abstracts.pdf

2007

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

Shirley, C. H., & Heyward, P. M. (2007, November). Centre-surround processing in olfactory bulb is temporal, and intrinsic to the level of sensory input. Verbal presentation at the Medical Sciences Congress, Queenstown, New Zealand.

2006

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

Butler-Munro, C., & Heyward, P. (2006, November-December). The electrophysiological effects of lithium on central neurons in vitro. Verbal presentation at the Medical Sciences Congress, Rotorua, New Zealand.

2005

Journal - Research Article

Wachowiak, M., McGann, J. P., Heyward, P. M., Shao, Z., Puche, A. C., & Shipley, M. T. (2005). Inhibition of olfactory receptor neuron input to olfactory bulb glomeruli mediated by suppression of presynaptic calcium influx. Journal of Neurophysiology, 94, 2700-2712.

Conference Contribution - Poster Presentation (not in published proceedings)

Shirley, C. H., & Heyward, P. M. (2005, December). Olfactory bulb circuitry in odour coding. Poster session presented at the Medical Sciences Congress, Queenstown, New Zealand.

2004

Journal - Research Article

Heinbockel, T., Heyward, P., Conquet, F., & Ennis, M. (2004). Regulation of main olfactory bulb mitral cell excitability by metabotropic glutamate receptor mGluR1. Journal of Neurophysiology, 92, 3085-3096.

Puche, A. C., Heyward, P., & Shipley, M. T. (2004). Transmembrane dye labeling and immunohistochemical staining of electrophysiologically characterized single neurons. Journal of Neuroscience Methods, 137(2), 235-240.

Conference Contribution - Poster Presentation (not in published proceedings)

Heyward, P. M., Puche, A. C., Aungst, J. L., & Shipley, M. T. (2004, December). Centre-surround inhibition at the first stage of olfactory processing. Poster session presented at the Medical Sciences Congress, Queenstown, New Zealand.

2003

Journal - Research Article

Aungst, J. L., Heyward, P. M., Puche, A. C., Karnup, S. V., Hayar, A., Szabo, G., & Shipley, M. (2003). Centre-surround inhibition among olfactory bulb glomeruli. Nature, 426, 623-629.

Heyward, P. M., & Shipley, M. (2003). A device for automated control of pipette internal pressure for patch-clamp recording. Journal of Neuroscience Methods, 123, 109-115.

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Puche, A. C., Aungst, J. L., Heyward, P. M., Erdelyi, F., Szabo, G., Karnup, S. V., & Shipley, M. T. (2003). Neural basis for interglomerular circuits in the main olfactory bulb. Proceedings of the 25th Annual Meeting of the Association for Chemoreception Sciences. [Abstract]

Aungst, J. L., Heyward, P. M., & Shipley, M. T. (2003). Evidence for dendritic localization of I_H in granule cells of mouse main olfactory bulb. Proceedings of the 33rd Annual Meeting of Society for Neuroscience. [Abstract]

Aungst, J. L., Heyward, P. M., Hayar, A. M., & Shipley, M. T. (2003). I_H modulation of granule cell function in the mouse main olfactory bulb. Proceedings of the 25th Annual Meeting of the Association for Chemoreception Sciences. [Abstract]

2002

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Wachowiak, M., Heyward, P. M., Puche, A. C., & Shipley, M. T. (2002). Regulation of receptor neuron input to the mouse olfactory bulb mediated by suppression of presynaptic calcium influx. Chemical Senses. 27, (pp. A89). [Abstract]

Wachowiak, M., Heyward, P., Puche, A., & Shipley, M. T. (2002). Regulation of receptor neuron input to the mouse olfactory bulb mediated by suppression of presynaptic calcium influx. Proceedings of the Society for Neuroscience 32nd Annual Meeting. Washington, DC: SfN. [Abstract]

Puche, A. C., Heyward, P. M., & Shipley, M. T. (2002). Ultra-long-lasting depolarizations in response to olfactory nerve input in developing mitral cells. Chemical Senses. 27, (pp. A63). [Abstract]

Heyward, P. M., Izhikevich, E. M., & Shipley, M. T. (2002). Modeling bistability and resonance in the membrane dynamics of mitral cells. Chemical Senses. 27, (pp. A64). [Abstract]

Conference Contribution - Poster Presentation (not in published proceedings)

Heyward, P., & Izhikevich, E. M. (2002, March). Bistability and resonance in dynamics of mitral neurons in olfactory bulb. Poster session presented at the Life Sciences Conference, Boston, MA, USA.

2001

Journal - Research Article

Hayar, A., Heyward, P. M., Heinbockel, T., Shipley, M. T., & Ennis, M. (2001). Direct excitation of mitral cells via activation of α1-noradrenergic receptors in rat olfactory bulb slices. Journal of Neurophysiology, 86, 2173-2182.

Heyward, P., Ennis, M., Keller, A., & Shipley, M. T. (2001). Membrane bistability in olfactory bulb mitral cells. Journal of Neuroscience, 21(14), 5311-5320.

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Heyward, P., Puche, A., & Shipley, M. (2001). Electrophysiology of main olfactory bulb mitral cells during postnatal development: Ultra-long-lasting depolarizations in response to olfactory nerve input. Proceedings of the Society for Neuroscience's 31st Annual Meeting. Washington, DC: SfN. [Abstract]

Heinbockel, T., Hayar, A., Heyward, P., Shipley, M., & Ennis, M. (2001). Modulation of neural signaling by metabotropic glutamate receptros in rat olfactory bulb slices. In N. Elsner & G. W. Kreutzberg (Eds.), Göttingen Neurobiology Report. 2, (pp. 450). [Abstract]

Heinbockel, T., Hayar, A., Heyward, P. M., Shipley, M. T., & Ennis, M. (2001). Neural activity is modulated by metabotropic glutamate receptors in rat olfactory bulb slices. Chemical Senses. 26, (pp. 1065). [Abstract]

Conference Contribution - Poster Presentation (not in published proceedings)

Heinbockel, T., Hayar, A., Heyward, P. M., Shipley, M. T., & Ennis, M. (2001, February). Modulation of neural signaling by metabotropic glutamate receptros in rat olfactory bulb slices. Poster session presented at the Colloquia of the National Academy of Sciences, Washington, DC, USA.

2000

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Heyward, P. M., & Shipley, M. T. (2000). Mitral cell intrinsic membrane properties amplify responses to olfactory nerve synaptic input. Proceedings of the Society for Neuroscience's 30th Annual Meeting. Washington, DC: SfN. [Abstract]

Heyward, P. M., Ennis, M., & Shipley, M. T. (2000). A persistent sodium current generates up-state plateau potentials and active subthreshold responses to olfactory nerve input in mitral cells of the main olfactory bulb. Chemical Senses. 25, (pp. 642). [Abstract]